Perez named winner of Zeidler award

Antonio “Tony” Perez, who founded the Milwaukee Community Service Corps and now serves as the executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, has been named the recipient of the 2011 Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award.

Perez was selected primarily for starting the Milwaukee Community Service Corps in 1991, which is modeled after the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps.

The Milwaukee Community Service Corps is a nonprofit vocational training organization that provides employment and education to young adults in Milwaukee. The program integrates education, life skills and on-the-job work experience to help low-income youth between the ages of 18 and 23 to get jobs.

From 1991 to 2000 when Perez ran the program, more than 900 participants found jobs and received more than $4.5 million in income, according to a press release from Ald. Robert Bauman that announced the award.

The service corps now serves an average of 100 participants a year. Since its inception approximately 2,000 young adults have received job training through the program.

Because of his experience here, Perez serves as a member of the executive committee of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, is a past president of the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps, and has served as a consultant to the Peace Corp.

He was also cited for his work, along with Mayor Tom Barrett, in helping to bring the $28 million Job Corps Center to Milwaukee. The U.S. Department of Labor selected Milwaukee for the project, which opened in the fall of 2010 near N. 60th St. and W. Green Tree Road and is currently working with 300 students.

At the Housing Authority, Perez oversees housing for more than 12,000 low-income families, elderly and disabled persons. During his tenure the agency has received or leveraged more than $265 million in development resources.

Perez was nominated for the award by Common Council President Willie Hines.

The award acknowledges residents whose effort most embody the values and vision of Zeidler, the city’s last socialist mayor who died in 2006. Zeidler served as mayor from 1948 to 1960 and was known for his work in public service and social justice until his last days. Elected public officials are not eligible for the award.

Arthur Heitzer, a civil rights attorney who chairs the Zeidler award committee, said Perez was selected because of his work and initiatives that “address the massive need for jobs and job training for young adults and especially urban youth in Milwaukee.”

Perez, a native of Puerto Rico, said of the Zeidler award: "I'm honored that my name is mentioned with his and his can-do Milwaukee attitude."

About Georgia Pabst

Georgia Pabst is a general assignment reporter whose areas of coverage include Milwaukee County government, the Latino community, non-profits and neighborhoods.